Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

01 July 2025

2-minute read

While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu juggles a war in Gaza, keeping all his balls in the air may seem impossible as international pressure to end the current status quo in Gaza mounts.

According to political analyst Dr Dale McKinley, Netanyahu’s security meeting and his claim that Israel is close to ending its ground offensive in Gaza is improbable, “given the experience of the past,” and his “many claims on this front.” The assault on Gaza over the past two years has made Netanyahu’s predominant interest in the continuation of different kinds of wars clear.

The more Netanyahu can play up the threat to Israel, the “more he can deflect attention away from his own legal problems and potentially his own unlawful behaviour,” says Dr McKinley, as well as the call for his resignation. Inevitably, he will likely avert to his usual stance of war.

Trump’s knack of interfering in the domestic affairs of other countries is “outrageous,” coming to fore once again with his call for the charges against Netanyahu to be dropped. The relationship between Israeli leadership and US politics is a symbiotic one. President While Trump’s ability to centre other country’s political issues around himself and the US makes him feel powerful and important, Netanyahu needs Trump for political, economic and military reasons; to back the war, to provide Israel with arms, and to protect him at the United Nations.

With Hamas demanding a permanent ceasefire and Israel insisting on a temporary one, Dr McKinley says that a serious truce depends on two things: internally within Israel elections are looming, and on the international front sanctions are increasing and sentiment against Israel is worsening. Israel is hurting economically, forcing Netanyahu into negotiations earlier than he expected. Dr McKinley stated that the end is in sight even though Netanyahu would like a “forever war,” and he hopes that the Israeli Prime Minister “faces justice within his own country.”

Listen to the full interview here.